Christmas Decorations

It's looking a lot like Christmas around my townhouse. Here are several of my decorations throughout the house.

These silver bells were given to me every year from birth - 21 years old from my aunt and uncle. They are Wallace sterling silver. My mom found the silver tree that is perfect to display all my bells. Also on the table are my M. Bagwell Simply Christmas dishes.

On my mirror above the mantle is a green feather wreath and my polka dot stocking hangs on the fireplace screen.

On the passage-way from the kitchen into the dining room are my fun multi-colored trees made out of ornament balls.

On the table in the foyer is a part of a larger nativity scene my mom passed down to me.

This Christmas card holder is a new addition. I got it from Willow House (formerly Southern Living Home). A co-worker was hosting a party and I purchased this from her. I think it is perfect for all my cards and could be used throughout the year for other displays too.

I got this pre-lit Christmas tree a few years ago when my grandparent's store went out of business. It was used for decoration there but has been perfect in my apartments and now my townhouse. It is slim and easy to set-up and store. Jay helped me decorate the tree this year. It was a fun project to work on together.

I got this boxwood wreath on sale after Christmas a few seasons ago. My mom got me this fun polka dot bow to go on it.

When I was at home after Thanksgiving I found this stocking. It was my first stocking when I was a baby. My mom smocked it. I brought it back to hang on my chest of drawers in my bedroom.

I got this small sparkly tree when I was in college for my dorm room. It is the perfect size for my bedroom dresser. It is decorated with smaller ornaments I've had since I was a child.

Birthday Rose Bush

I got home from work on Thursday to find an early birthday surprise from Jay. Previously in between my house and the one next to me was an ugly holly tree. It had random sprigs in various directions and overall looked very scraggly (not sure that is a word-HA!). I have complained about the tree since I moved in almost a year ago but I don't own the tools to tackle the project myself. Jay cut the tree out and planted a pretty potted rose bush in its place. He did this all while I was gone and the day of our party so that my house would look top notch when friends came over. The rose bush is called a 'Radwhite' White Out. It blooms Spring-first frost and smells of citrus. I can't wait till it blooms in a few months.

Bathroom Paint Project

When I first moved into my house I liked all the existing paint colors except for the master bathroom. It was a sage green and just didn't fit my style. My aunt, mom and I painted the entire bathroom (ceiling included) white and planned to do beige horizontal stripes in the same color as my bedroom walls.

We quickly grew weary from painting and for 6 months the bathroom was just stark white.

Enter Kristen from KFD designs. I saw her work and blog mentioned on another great design blog Young House Love and I was so excited when I saw she was from Atlanta. I emailed her immediately and a few weeks later we have the finished product. Kristen did 2 posts on my bathroom transformation. Check it out here: http://kfddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/striped-bathroom.html and here: http://kfddesigns.blogspot.com/2010/07/peek.html

YARD WORK

Saturday was a disaster. My mom came over to help me spruce up my yard. Unfortunately the yard man I hired was a no show, it was torrential rain and storms and with my injured finger we weren't able to get much done.

Sunday we woke up early and with the help of Miguel, a guy we hired at Home Depot, we were able to get lots done. I'm really excited about having a pretty backyard and flowers.

Here are some pics:

Stitched Up

On Saturday my mom came to Atlanta to help me fix up my backyard. The Easter Bunny gave me several plants and I was ready to get them planted. While shopping for other flowers I cut my finger on a sign at Home Depot. It wouldn't stop bleeding and was a pretty deep cut. We made our purchases and went to the new Doctors Express, an urgent care clinic near my house. They looked at my finger and recommend stitches to clean it up. I haven't had stitches since I was about 7 and busted my chin open. Fortunately it only needed one and we were in and out in about 20 minutes. This place was great. Everyone was very friendly. I'll be going back next Monday to get the stitch out.

New Sofa

This weekend I ordered a new sofa that will be delivered when I move in January. Thanks to my grandmother who is giving it to me! I'm so excited. I ordered it from Leather Creations a really cool company based out Atlanta. My parents have a Leather Creations sofa and they are made really well with nice soft leather. Mine will look like this only in black leather with nickel colored nailheads.